But some reacted against the calls for self-censorship, claiming people should realise the scale of the horror.

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I don't agree with
#ISISMediaBlackout. Sometimes people need be confronted with reality. People are more likely to care when there's images. — Jarhead (@LCplSwofford)
August 19, 2014

Fairfax Media has chosen not to post any graphic images. But other media outlets have come under fire for publishing graphic content.

The US Guardian's national security editor, Spencer Ackerman, took aim at CNN.

Come *on*, CNN, do not air imagery from the propaganda video. — Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman)
August 19, 2014

Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS or ISIL, has captured large tracts of territory in Syria and Iraq over recent months.

Its followers have successfully exploited social media to propagate its ideals, issue threats and recruit more volunteers.

Images that appeared to show Foley's corpse were posted on Twitter on Wednesday morning. Radio journalist Zaid Benjamin had his account suspended after tweeting a screenshot of one of the uncensored images.

Some criticised YouTube for not taking the video down quickly enough.

It's lucky that video didn't have a unlicensed Katy Perry song as a soundtrack or it would've been deleted from YouTube in seconds. — Tom Gara (@tomgara)
August 19, 2014

A YouTube spokesperson would not say how long the video had remained posted on the site.

The spokesperson said the company had "clear policies that prohibit content like gratuitous violence, hate speech and incitement to commit violent acts, and we remove videos violating these policies when flagged by our users".